Shimano 105 5700 Test

Shimano is probably the most famous bicycle parts manufacturer there is in. Shimano is one of the three main producers of bicycle parts, the other two brands are SRAM and Campagnolo.

Brand: Shimano

Type: 105 (5700)

Weight: -

Price: +/- € 450 (set of 8)

Specs: Includes: Dual Control levers, crankset, cassette, derailleur (x2), brakes, chain and bottom bracket

NOTE: There a different 105 groupsets available which might include other parts

The Shimano 105 group is the 5^th group of Shimano, only Ultegra and Dura Ace are considered as better Shimano groups. The Shimano 105 group is advised to people who rider over 3000-4000 kilometer a year since the groups below the 105 wear off faster and need to be replaced sooner.

When buying a bike it’s important to know what group set is on the bike. Some shops choose to mount two different groups on one bike. For example a Tiagra crank and a Shimano 105 Group derailleur, why? Because it’s cheaper than to mount a fully 105 Group set. Tiagra isn’t a bad group, but it’s better to know straight away that you buy a bike that contains other group parts. Better than finding out later on, and get disappointed.

Review

After 10.000 kilometers the 105 Group is still working as it should be. The only part that has been replaced is the chain. If you replace the chain once a season you prevent wear on the cassette and crank who are more expensive to replace than a chain (€20). Most people don’t buy complete new groupsets, but just replace the parts that are wear. In my case the chain. My estimation is that I can go up to 20.000 kilometers before I have to replace the more expensive parts of the group as the derailleurs, crank and the cassette.

The 105 Group has matched my expectations. It is a very good group compared to the price you have to pay and it doesn’t wear fast. All part besides the chain easily can do 20.000-25.000 kilometers before they need to be replaced. For a better durability it is advised to replace the chain once every 5.000 kilometer or once a season.

The Verdict

I would advise the Shimano 105 Group to everyone who rides up to 10.000 kilometers. If you ride more than 10.000 kilometers a year it might be cheaper to buy the Ultegra or Dura Ace since it has a better durability. Even if you only ride 1.000 kilometers a year I would advise the 105 Group over Sora or Tiagra because it would demand less maintenance and it’s likely you can keep using it during the completely life span of the bike.

Performance 

Durability 

Product for value 

Overall 

Written by Ronald

Read more: http://www.cyclingtipsonline.com/news/shimano-105-5700-review/

Uvex SGL 203 Test

Uvex is a German brand that produces safety and security products. It is also partner of World Tour team Argos-Shimano, which they provide glasses and helmets.

Brand: Uvex

Type: Sgl 203 (2013)

Weight: -

Price: € 39,95

Specs: 100% UV-protection, light transmission 8-18%

If you are looking for some good glasses which aren’t too expensive, Uvex glasses are a good option. Brands as Oakley and Rudy Project are often of better quality but are also pricey. Given the fact that Uvex is partner of a World Tour team it also means the quality of the Uvex products is of a certain standard as well. Probably not the best brand around quality wise but it certainly is from good quality.

Review

It are good glasses that give you a clear view even when it’s very sunny. You can really notice the ‘100% UV-protection’ and the 8-18% light transmission that the product claims to have. The ‘open’ spectacle frame is a really big plus and together with its light weight you won’t notice that you are wearing glasses. The glasses good also be used in daily life. They glasses are available in several colours so you could pick a colour that fits you. A disadvantage of the glasses is that when you are sweating a lot that the drops of sweat are blurring the view. It’s the sweat that drops on your eyebrows that causes the blurriness, when the eyebrows make contact with the glass the sweat gets on the glasses. This is only the case when it’s very hot or when you are making long rides. The glasses can easily been cleaned – during the ride – with some water. The downside of the 8-18% light transmission is that if you are riding in bushy area the view becomes a lot darker.

The Verdict

Good buy if you are looking for good low budget glasses. Pretty big glasses, ‘open’ view and good protection against the sunlight. Disadvantage is the blurry view if you sweat a lot. All in all a good buy and I would advise it to other cyclists.

Performance 

Durability 

Product for value 

Overall 

Written by Ronald

Read more: http://www.cyclingtipsonline.com/news/uvex-sgl-203-review/

Look Keo 2 Max Test

Look is a well known cycling brand. Today I am going to review their Keo 2 Max road clipless pedal

Weighing in at only 131 grams a pedal, these are quite light compared to some of the other pedals provided on the market today. The pedals are constructed with a mixture of carbon and stainless steel, giving them high durability as well as a weight reduction. 

On The Road
It is all good and well to know all of the theory surrounding these pedals, but the real question is, how do they ride?
These pedals perform very well on the road in all conditions. In the past I had malfunctioning with other pedals, especially in sprints or on the track, where a lot of pulling tension is put on the pedals. This however has never happened with my set of Keo 2 Max pedals.

Again emphasising their durability. The cleats which come standard with these pedals do not work on the other Look pedals, which at first was quite disappointing. The upside of this is that it is due to the additional rubber sections on the cleat which ensures grip when walking, which we all know how hard walking with cleats some times can be.
Another note is that the pedals can not be loosened with the standard allen key bicycle tool, but instead requires a larger size of allen key. This means an additional purchase if you do not already own one and also leaves the issue of fixing the bike on the road, should you not have the correct size handy. This is a small inconvenience which I will gladly suffer, knowing that I probably won’t have to remove the pedals any time soon.
 

The verdict

This is really a great quality product worth considering, if you are planning on buying new clipless pedals. It is one of their older products, but I have yet to see a replacement for my set with the same durability and reliability.

Written by Janneman

Read more: http://www.cyclingtipsonline.com/news/look-keo-2-max-road-clipless-pedal/

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX Test

Schwalbe is a well-known brand in cycling. De company started in 1901 and has its headquarter in Germany. Schwalbe is also partner of some World Tour teams, for example Radioshack-Leopard-Trek and AG2R. Besides those World Tour teams there are several pro-continental and continental teams who use Schwalbe tires.

Brand: Schwalbe

Type: Ultremo ZX (700x23c)

Weight: 95 grams (per tire)                          

Price: +/- € 30 (per tire)

Specs: Available in several colours

After my first tires were worn out I had to buy new ones. I bought the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX because the reviews where pretty good and it had a good price. There was also a possibility to choose a colour. Besides a good product it is also nice when it looks good, so I bought the red-black tires (one of the 10 possible colours) for the same price as the ‘normal’ black tire. I had no real problems with mounting the Ultremo ZX tires on my Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels besides the normal stiffness of new tires. The tubes that I have used are Continental tubes and low budget Michelin tubes which I’m currently using.

Schwalbe claims that the Ultremo ZX has about 15% lower rolling resistance, longer durability and better puncture protection than the predecessor. Since this was the first time I used the Ultremo ZX I have not been able to test if those claims are correct.

Review

After about 5000 kilometers in 1½ year I have to say I’m pretty happy with the tires. I had to replace my rear tire last year after about 1500 kilometers because it was torn, caused by a sharp branch. The new tire I mounted was also an Ultremo ZX. A remark that I have to make is that I weigh about 90 kilogram and therefore push more weight on the tire than a lighter person, which may cause that the tire wears down faster.

My front tire has done about 5000 kilometers now and my current rear tire 3500 kilometers and I’m still using them. They show some signs of wear and need to be replaced within the next 1000 kilometers to avoid punctures.

In these 5000 respectively 3500 kilometers I have had three punctures – all three at the rear tire – spread over the period all caused by little stones. No punctures on the front wheel and given the fact there is more pressure on the rear tire because of the bodyweight and the fact I’m pretty heavy it might have caused more punctures than with a lighter person.

The performances of the Ultremo ZX have pleased me. It is a fast tire, it is pretty light compared to other tires and the claim of Schwalbe that it has lower rolling resistance than the predecessor might be right. It isn’t only a fast tire, but it also makes you look fast and good. The red tires looks really good on my bike and wheels.

The Verdict

I can recommend these tires to people who don’t ride over 5000 kilometers a year and want some good (looking) and fast tires. If you are looking for durability or if you are riding over 5000 kilometers a year you better look for some more ‘solid’ tires. I’m pretty sure my new tires will be Schwalbe Ultremo ZX.

Performance 

Durability 

Product for value 

Overall 

Written by Ronald

Read more: http://www.cyclingtipsonline.com/news/schwalbe-ultremo-zx-review/

Bulls Harrier 2 Test

Brand: Bulls

Type: Harrier 2 (2011)

Weight: 9,2 kg

Price: +/- € 900 (new price)

Specs: Aluminium, Shimano 105 Group, Carbon Fork

Bulls is brand of ZEG (Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft). ZEG is besides a ‘purchasing cooperative’ also producer of some own brands like Pegasus, Bulls and Yazoo. Bulls is known for its relative low price and decent quality which makes it an ideal buy for people who can’t or don’t want to spend too much money on their (first) bike.

There a couple of reasons why I decided to buy a Bulls. First of all I have gathered some information on the internet about several brands and types. After years of mountain biking I wanted a ‘racer’ to hit the roads. I didn’t want to spend too much money on it since I didn’t knew if I would like road racing as much as mountain biking. I decided I would go for a new bike, because you never know if a second hand has some latent defects or might show some signs of wear. I also wanted a Shimano 105 Group because it had many good reviews. After setting a price and demands on group set I had two real options left, Giant or Bulls. Both brands known for their low pricing and decent quality. It is not only the bike that is important but also the right size and adjustment so you can sit comfortable on your bike without getting complaints caused by wrong positioning. So it is important to get some help from a ‘professional’ if you don’t know the right sizes and want to sit comfortable on the bike. Therefore I wanted to go to a bike store and get advice and help about the size and adjusting the bike to my body. There wasn’t a Giant dealer close to my home but there was a Bulls dealer close to my home, so I decided it would be a Bulls.

                        

Review

I’m using the bike now for over 2½ years and it is still going strong. In this period I only have replaced the chain, wheels and tires. I didn’t replace any other parts of the bike. The frame is still in very good shape and doesn’t show any remarks of wear. The only part of the Shimano 105 Group I replaced is the chain which costs about € 20. In this 2½ years I have ridden about 10.000 kilometers and I give it a revise every two months. That’s just to look if the shifting is still fine, to give the chain a bit oil, making sure if the pads are still good and give the bike a small cleaning. It’s about 5-10 minutes work every two months, so you could say it’s a bike with low maintenance. I also give it a big revise twice a season which contains replacing the chain once every season and a big cleaning which doesn’t take more than 30 minutes.

The shifting during the rides is still very smooth and I think I can do another 10.000 kilometers on the bike and the Shimano 105 Group if I try to avoid crashes. The front fork is made out of aluminium and carbon, so it should give more comfort during the ride and less vibration compared to just aluminium or steel. Since this is my first racer I haven’t been able to compare it with aluminium or steel but compared to a mountain bike with suspension I have to say that the comfort during the rides is bigger than I expected on the beginning.

With 9,2 kg it is not the lightest bike there is but if you don’t intend to use this bike for racing you won’t notice the weight. The bike accelerates fast and the handling of the bike is –when you have it adjusted to your body- amazing. It is a bike that can be used for all types of rides. It’s good for recreational rides, tours, cyclo’s (for example Marmotte or Les Trois Ballons) and racing (to a certain level).

The Verdict

The bike hasn’t disappointed me once. If you are looking for a pretty cheap but solid bike, the Bulls Harrier with Shimano 105 Group is an excellent buy. It’s a very comfortable bike that doesn’t need much maintenance. Like I said before, it can be used for all types of rides, from pure recreational till racing.

Performance 

Durability 

Product for value 

Overall 

Written by Ronald

Read more: http://www.cyclingtipsonline.com/news/bulls-harrier-2-review/